Spicy Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs (Air Fryer)
Spicy Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 3 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- kosher salt, as needed
For the Marinade
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic, mashed into a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Spicy Honey Glaze
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. If your air fryer requires it, lightly grease the basket or use a perforated parchment liner.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 380
- 2
Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, make three shallow cuts across the skin of each chicken thigh. Season generously with kosher salt on both sides, ensuring some salt gets into the scored cuts. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the plain yogurt, mashed garlic paste, turmeric powder, chipotle chili powder, paprika, black pepper, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Whisk until thoroughly combined into a thick, orange-red paste.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Marinate the chicken: Add the scored chicken thighs to the bowl with the marinade. Use your hands to coat each piece completely, making sure the marinade seeps into the cuts. For best flavor, allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Air fry the chicken: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket, skin-side up, ensuring not to overcrowd. You will likely need to cook in 2-3 batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Cook for 12 minutes at 380°F.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 380
- 6
Prepare the spicy honey glaze: While the chicken is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the hot sauce and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Add the cold unsalted butter pieces and stir until the butter has melted and the sauce is combined. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of honey.
⏱️ 10 min
- 7
Flip and glaze: After 12 minutes, flip the chicken thighs. Brush generously with the prepared spicy honey glaze. Continue to air fry for another 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F and the skin is golden brown and crispy. For extra crispiness, you can flip again and cook skin-side up for the last 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 380
- 8
Serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer. Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot, optionally with a side of cooling white sauce or your favorite complementary dish.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 3 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- kosher salt, as needed
For the Marinade
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic, mashed into a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Spicy Honey Glaze
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 2 pieces
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F. If your air fryer requires it, lightly grease the basket or use a perforated parchment liner.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 380 - 2
Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, make three shallow cuts across the skin of each chicken thigh. Season generously with kosher salt on both sides, ensuring some salt gets into the scored cuts. Set aside.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the plain yogurt, mashed garlic paste, turmeric powder, chipotle chili powder, paprika, black pepper, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Whisk until thoroughly combined into a thick, orange-red paste.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Marinate the chicken: Add the scored chicken thighs to the bowl with the marinade. Use your hands to coat each piece completely, making sure the marinade seeps into the cuts. For best flavor, allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Air fry the chicken: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket, skin-side up, ensuring not to overcrowd. You will likely need to cook in 2-3 batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Cook for 12 minutes at 380°F.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 380 - 6
Prepare the spicy honey glaze: While the chicken is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the hot sauce and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Add the cold unsalted butter pieces and stir until the butter has melted and the sauce is combined. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of honey.
⏱️ 10 min - 7
Flip and glaze: After 12 minutes, flip the chicken thighs. Brush generously with the prepared spicy honey glaze. Continue to air fry for another 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F and the skin is golden brown and crispy. For extra crispiness, you can flip again and cook skin-side up for the last 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 380 - 8
Serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer. Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot, optionally with a side of cooling white sauce or your favorite complementary dish.
⏱️ 3 min